It’s easy to cook sausage in the oven: just heat up the oven, put parchment or foil on a baking sheet, and bake. The sausage comes out juicy and tender each time. And the method is less messy than cooking sausage in a skillet or on the grill.
Cooking sausage in the oven is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to prepare this tasty meat. The oven’s dry, ambient heat gently cooks the sausages all the way through without any fuss or hassle. But exactly how long should you bake sausages for? The cooking time can vary based on the size and type of sausage. This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know to oven-bake sausages to tender, juicy perfection.
Factors That Affect Sausage Bake Times
There are a few key factors that determine how long sausage needs to cook in the oven
Type of Sausage
The kind of sausage makes a big difference in oven cook times, Some common types include
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Raw sausage (Italian sausage, breakfast sausage) – Typically needs 20-40 minutes in the oven since the sausage is raw when you start cooking it.
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Smoked sausage (kielbasa, andouille) – Starts off fully cooked so it just needs to be heated through, usually 15-20 minutes.
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Fresh sausage (bratwurst, Weisswurst) – Often par-cooked so needs less time than raw sausage, around 15-30 minutes.
Size
Larger, thicker sausages need more time in the oven than smaller, thinner links. Jumbo sausage may need upwards of 40 minutes while cocktail-size links may only need 15-20 minutes.
Amount
The more sausages you cook at once, the longer the oven time. A whole baking sheet full of sausage will obviously take longer than just a few links.
Preparation
Sausages left whole in links will take a bit longer than sausages cut into bite-sized pieces before baking.
Preheating For Sausage
Always start by preheating your oven before cooking sausages. Most recipes call for preheating to 350°F-425°F. If you have a lot of sausages to bake, preheat on the lower end around 325°F-350°F. For fewer sausages, go up to 375°F-400°F.
I like to turn on the oven when I take the sausages out of the fridge so it has time to fully preheat while I prep the meat.
How Long To Bake Smoked Sausage
Smoked sausages like kielbasa and andouille are ready to eat as-is but cooking them in the oven warms them up and enhances their flavor.
For smoked sausage links, bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
Cutting smoked sausage into 1-inch slices first shortens the baking time. Bake sliced smoked sausage at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
How Long To Bake Raw Sausage
Raw sausages like Italian sausage, bratwurst and breakfast sausage need to be fully cooked in the oven.
For average sized raw sausage links, bake at 375°F for 20-30 minutes.
Larger, thicker sausage links may need 35-40 minutes to reach safe internal temperatures.
Always check your sausages at 20 minutes and continue cooking if needed until the meat is no longer pink inside.
How Long To Bake Sausage Patties
Pre-formed raw sausage patties cook quicker than links. Bake 4-5 ounce sausage patties at 400°F for 15-18 minutes. Flip the patties halfway through for even cooking.
For larger 1/2 pound sausage patties, bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping once.
How Long To Bake Sausage Balls
Sausage balls made from breakfast sausage and cheese bake up faster than links since they are bite-sized.
Bake sausage balls at 375°F for 13-15 minutes until browned on top and cooked through.
How Long To Bake Bratwurst
Bratwurst are fresh German sausages that are often par-cooked before packaging. This pre-cooking helps shorten their bake time.
For whole bratwurst links, bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
Chopped bratwurst pieces will bake faster, in 10-15 minutes at 400°F.
Pierce the sausages with a fork before baking to prevent splitting.
How To Tell When Sausage Is Done
It can be tricky to tell when sausages are fully cooked in the oven. Here are some ways to test for doneness:
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Use a meat thermometer – sausages are done at 160°F.
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Cut into a sausage – meat should be brown throughout with no pink.
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Poke a sausage with tongs – the casing should be slightly firm, not squishy.
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Cut easily with a fork – sausage is ready when it’s no longer tough.
Allow sausages to rest 5 minutes before serving for the juiciest texture.
Oven Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for the best oven-baked sausages:
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Leave raw sausage links whole, cut smoked sausage before baking.
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Use a foil-lined baking sheet for easy clean-up.
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Place a wire rack on the pan to allow fat to drip away.
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Flip or turn sausages halfway through for even cooking.
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Add sliced onions, peppers or potatoes to roast alongside.
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Brush with oil or barbecue sauce for crispy, caramelized results.
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Bake at 400°F to brown and crisp the casings.
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Always check temperature and doneness before serving.
Common Additions And Serving Suggestions
Baked sausages pair deliciously with all kinds of flavors. Consider adding or serving sausage with:
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Onions, peppers, potatoes, mushrooms – Roast veggies right on the baking sheet.
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Sauerkraut, braised cabbage – Traditional pairings with kielbasa.
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Apples, fennel, garlic – Complement Italian sausage.
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Rice, pasta, potatoes – Serve sausage over hearty starches.
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Kraut, mustard, pickles – Toppings for brats and hot dogs.
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Eggs, biscuits, gravy – Breakfast additions for breakfast sausage.
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Beans, lentils – Combine with smoked sausage in soups or stews.
The possibilities are endless for oven-baked sausage meals and recipes! Now that you know exactly how long to bake different kinds of sausage to juicy perfection, you can easily add this versatile meat into your dinner rotation.
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Step Two: Preheat Your Oven and Prep the Pan.
It’s very simple to cook sausage in the oven: just heat up the oven, put parchment or foil on a baking sheet, and bake. That’s really it. There’s no need to oil the sausage or do any special preparation.
Step One: Select the Sausage.
There are so many options when it comes to sausage. From spicy Italian sausage to Mexican chorizo. , here’s what to use and what to avoid when cooking in the oven.
Fresh sausage links contain raw meat and must be cooked before eating. Store fresh sausage in the refrigerator or freezer before cooking.
Types of Fresh Sausage
- Breakfast sausage. Patties or links.
- Italian Sausage. Hot, mild, or sweet Italian sausages.
- Bratwurst.
- Mexican Chorizo.
- Flavored and Stuffed Sausages.
- Ground sausage. It looks like ground turkey or beef. You can add it to sauces, make meatloaf with it, or make patties out of it. But it can’t be baked in the oven by itself. It will turn into one large lump.
How to Cook Sausage in the Oven
FAQ
How long does it take to cook sausage at 350?
How long should you cook sausages in the oven?
How long to cook Polish sausage in oven at 350?
What temperature do you cook raw sausage?
How long does it take to bake sausage?
In just 30 minutes you’ll have delicious oven baked sausage for dinner. This works for all sausage links and patties! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Add sausage on top of parchment paper, making sure none of the sausages are touching.
How do you cook Italian sausages in the oven?
Place the foil on the baking sheet – secure it by crimping it around the edges unless you are feeling daring. Preheat the oven to 350. Space your Italian Sausages out so that heat can circulate around them. Place in the center of the oven and bake for 25-35 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 160. Step 1.
How long do you cook sausage links in the oven?
For the best results, just follow these steps. Set oven-safe parchment paper or aluminum foil on a shallow baking pan or sheet. Use tongs to place sausage on the baking sheet, so they do not touch. Bake the links for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping the links over halfway through the cooking process. Bake until brown and cooked through completely.
How long does it take to cook Italian sausage?
Bake for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. To bake Italian sausage, preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the sausage in a shallow baking tray, then allow them to cook for 20-25 minutes. You’ll want to turn the links over about halfway through.